Carib Scope

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  • Let them smell their ‘flowers’

    Let them smell their ‘flowers’

    A prominent cultural advocate is issuing an urgent appeal for Jamaica to recognize its reggae music pioneers while they can still appreciate the honor. Dr B, founder of the New York-based DARC Foundation and organizer of an annual awards ceremony, emphasizes that too many musical trailblazers have passed without receiving proper recognition from their nation.

    The Kingston-born pan-African activist leads an organization dedicated to honoring black individuals who have made substantial contributions to music, arts, sports, and community development. In a recent interview with the Jamaica Observer, Dr B articulated his philosophy with poignant clarity: “We should give these people their flowers, an’ mek dem smell these flowers before they die. Too many of our artistes an’ musicians are honoured in eulogies, an’ dat’s not right.”

    This call for timely recognition addresses longstanding criticism of Jamaica’s national honors system, which has consistently faced accusations of neglecting key figures in Jamaican music history. Numerous artists and producers, including the legendary Dennis Brown and influential producer Duke Reid, received their honors only posthumously.

    The DARC Foundation’s most recent Ethiophile Banquet and RasTafari Meritorious Awards celebrated ten distinguished recipients. The honorees included reggae icon Marcia Griffiths, renowned guitarist Earl “Chinna” Smith, Steel Pulse frontman David Hinds, musical pioneer Ras Michael, and broadcasting veteran Garfield “Chin” Bourne.

    The foundation also recognized international figures such as Thomas Sankara, the assassinated former prime minister of Burkina Faso; Rastafarian elder Daughter Dean; educator Dr Yvette Morgan of the Morgan Heritage family; philanthropist Andre McDonnell; and cannabis advocate President Scherill Murray-Powell.

    Dr B noted the evolution of their recognition criteria: “When we started out we honoured Rastafarians, but over the years we have expanded to include American athletes like John Carlos and Bob Beamon who were revolutionaries in their own right.”

    The foundation’s work began in 1994 when Dr B, originally from Vineyard Town in eastern Kingston, first organized a ceremony in Brooklyn, New York, that honored Rastafarian achievements, recognizing figures like Sam Brown of the Rastafarian Movement and reggae legend Burning Spear.

  • MBU and Treasure Beach score wins in second round of JPL

    MBU and Treasure Beach score wins in second round of JPL

    In a dramatic Sunday of Jamaica Premier League (JPL) action, Montego Bay United (MBU) solidified their top position while Treasure Beach fought their way out of the relegation zone. The league leaders secured a narrow 1-0 victory against Dunbeholden FC at Jarrett Park, marking their first home win at the venue this season. The decisive moment came from veteran striker Owayne Gordon, who converted a second-half penalty to break Dunbeholden’s impressive eight-match unbeaten streak and push MBU to 32 points.

    Meanwhile, in a tense battle at the bottom of the table, Treasure Beach ended their four-game losing streak with a crucial 2-1 triumph over Molynes United at Drewsland. Daniel Hardy opened the scoring within six minutes, though Molynes equalized through Tyrique Wilson shortly after. Karim Bryan emerged as the hero, netting the winner during first-half stoppage time to lift Treasure Beach to 15 points and swap positions with Harbour View in the standings.

    The day’s other matches produced tightly contested draws. Second-place Racing United (29 points) maintained their unbeaten run with a 1-1 comeback against Mt Pleasant FA, with Tajay Grant’s 69th-minute equalizer canceling out Jeudy Johnson’s opener. Third-place Portmore United (27 points) played to a goalless draw with Chapelton Maroons, extending their winless streak to five matches after previously winning four consecutive games.

    Defending champions Cavalier SC were held to another 0-0 draw by Waterhouse FC, who demonstrated remarkable resilience despite playing the final 14 minutes with ten men after Shamari Dyer’s red card dismissal.

  • Gold hits record high, dollar falls as US targets Fed

    Gold hits record high, dollar falls as US targets Fed

    LONDON, United Kingdom — Global financial markets exhibited significant volatility on Monday, with the U.S. dollar weakening and gold soaring to unprecedented heights. This turbulence stems from a developing Justice Department investigation into the Federal Reserve, intensifying concerns about the central bank’s autonomy amidst President Trump’s persistent advocacy for reduced interest rates.

    The situation escalated when Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, in an unusual Sunday video statement, confirmed the issuance of “unprecedented” subpoenas. Powell characterized this legal action as a component of what he described as Trump’s campaign to pressure the bank into implementing more aggressive rate reductions.

    Market analysts immediately recognized the profound implications. Russ Mould, Investment Director at AJ Bell, noted, “This investigation has destabilized market confidence and prompted serious questions regarding the Fed’s future leadership once Powell’s term concludes in May. There is growing apprehension that presidential influence is improperly encroaching on policies designed to be independent.”

    In response, investors rapidly shifted capital toward traditional safe-haven assets. Gold prices approached $4,600 per ounce, while silver neared $85. Concurrently, the U.S. dollar depreciated against other major currencies, and the benchmark 10-year Treasury bond’s price declined, resulting in a modest yield increase.

    Chairman Powell defended the Fed’s position in his address, stating, “Facing potential criminal charges is a direct result of the Federal Reserve establishing interest rates based on our expert assessment of public benefit, rather than adhering to presidential preferences.” The subpoenas, received Friday, reportedly relate to Powell’s June Senate testimony, which partially addressed a significant renovation project of Federal Reserve facilities.

    This political and legal uncertainty emerges alongside mixed economic signals. A soft U.S. jobs report released Friday indicated only 50,000 new positions in December, although the unemployment rate slightly improved to 4.4%. Despite this, the Fed has signaled it will maintain current interest rates at its upcoming policy meeting.

    Globally, equity markets presented a mixed picture. European stocks showed hesitation after a robust performance in Asian markets, which themselves followed Wall Street’s record closing highs from the previous week. Hong Kong and Shanghai led regional gains, while Tokyo’s market remained closed for a holiday.

    Most major indices, including those in Frankfurt, London, Paris, and Seoul, have experienced a strong commencement to 2026, fueled by tech sector optimism and advances in defense shares.

    Adding another layer of complexity, oil prices declined during volatile trading Monday. This movement was driven by escalating geopolitical risks, including widespread protests in Iran and the recent U.S. seizure of Venezuelan crude supplies. President Trump further heightened tensions by stating he was “looking very seriously” at military options against Iran following reports of hundreds of protester fatalities.

  • Meta urges Australia to change teen social media ban

    Meta urges Australia to change teen social media ban

    SYDNEY, Australia — Global technology conglomerate Meta has publicly criticized Australia’s pioneering social media prohibition for users under 16 years old, labeling the policy as counterproductive while revealing it has deactivated over 544,000 accounts in compliance with the controversial legislation.

    Australia implemented the world-first regulatory measure in December 2023, mandating major digital platforms including Meta, TikTok, and YouTube to prevent underage users from maintaining accounts. The legislation carries substantial financial penalties of Aus$49.5 million (approximately US$33 million) for companies failing to demonstrate reasonable compliance efforts.

    According to Meta’s transparency report, the company eliminated 331,000 underage accounts from Instagram, 173,000 from Facebook, and 40,000 from Threads during the initial week of enforcement ending December 11. Despite this demonstrated compliance, Meta issued a formal statement urging Australian authorities to reconsider their approach.

    “We advocate for constructive government-industry collaboration to develop superior alternatives,” the statement read. “Rather than implementing blanket prohibitions, we propose incentivizing industry-wide standards that deliver secure, privacy-conscious, and age-appropriate digital experiences.”

    The technology giant reiterated its previous position advocating for mandatory age verification through app stores, requiring parental consent before minors can download applications. Meta warned that without such systemic solutions, platforms would engage in a perpetual “whack-a-mole” scenario as adolescents migrate to alternative applications to circumvent restrictions.

    Australian government officials maintained their firm stance, asserting that social media corporations must be held accountable for the documented harm inflicted upon young citizens. “Platforms like Meta accumulate extensive user data for commercial objectives,” stated a government representative. “They possess both the capability and obligation to utilize this information to enforce Australian regulations and safeguard under-16 users.”

    Meta countered that numerous parents and child development experts have expressed concerns regarding the ban’s potential to isolate youth from digital communities and push them toward less regulated platforms and darker internet spaces. Preliminary evidence suggests the legislation may be failing its primary objective of enhancing young Australians’ safety and well-being.

    Addressing the complex challenge of online age verification, Meta acknowledged compliance would require a “multilayered process” while highlighting the recent establishment of the OpenAge Initiative. This non-profit consortium, co-founded by Meta, has introduced AgeKeys—innovative age-verification tools designed for integration with participating platforms.

  • Trinidad and Tobago Newsday – Monday January 12th 2026

    Trinidad and Tobago Newsday – Monday January 12th 2026

    In the sprawling, multi-billion dollar wellness industry, dietary supplements represent a frontier of both immense promise and significant peril. Unlike pharmaceutical drugs, which undergo rigorous testing and approval processes by agencies like the FDA, the supplement market operates under a fundamentally different regulatory framework. Governed by the 1994 Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA), these products are largely presumed safe until proven otherwise, placing the burden of proof on regulators after they have entered the market.

    This post-market oversight model creates a landscape where thousands of products, from vitamins and minerals to herbal extracts and proprietary blends, are readily available to consumers with limited pre-approval scrutiny. Manufacturers are responsible for ensuring their products are safe and that label claims are truthful and not misleading. However, the sheer volume of products and the reactive nature of regulation mean that potentially dangerous or misbranded supplements can remain on shelves for extended periods before regulatory action is taken.

    The implications for consumer health are profound. While many supplements offer genuine benefits, the market is also rife with issues including adulteration with pharmaceutical ingredients, contamination with heavy metals, and exaggerated or outright false health claims. This environment demands a heightened level of consumer vigilance, critical evaluation of marketing claims, and consultation with healthcare professionals before integrating any new supplement into a wellness regimen.

  • US diplomat calls for appointment of Guyana’s Opposition leader

    US diplomat calls for appointment of Guyana’s Opposition leader

    GEORGETOWN, Guyana — United States Ambassador Nicole Theriot has emphasized the critical need for Guyana to formally appoint an Opposition Leader following the September 1 general elections, highlighting concerns over parliamentary functionality and democratic processes. The electoral outcome returned the ruling People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) to power, while the newly established We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) party, led by Azruddin Mohamed, secured the second-largest parliamentary presence, displacing the former coalition A Partnership for National Unity (APNU).

    President Irfaan Ali dismissed allegations that his administration has delayed National Assembly sessions to avoid Mohamed’s appointment as ‘absolutely ridiculous,’ asserting that the opposition holds sole authority to elect their leader. Despite this, the Assembly has convened only once since the elections—on November 3, 2025—with Speaker Manzoor Nadir yet to initiate the constitutionally mandated meeting of the 29 opposition parliamentarians to formalize the leadership role, expected to be filled by Mohamed.

    Ambassador Theriot, speaking after an event at Banks DIH on Sunday, stressed that a functioning democracy requires an operational Parliament facilitated by an official Opposition Leader. However, complications arise as Mohamed and his father, billionaire businessman Nazar ‘Shell’ Mohamed, face extradition to the United States over serious charges including wire fraud, money laundering, and conspiracy tied to an alleged $50 million gold export and tax evasion scheme. Their committal hearing is scheduled to resume in February 2026.

    Theriot acknowledged that while the U.S. can navigate around Mohamed’s potential leadership in governmental matters, his involvement in financial or contractual issues would necessitate alternative arrangements to ensure unimpeded bilateral engagements. She also noted that international partners, including the European Union, Canada, and the United Kingdom, have jointly called for the expedient election of an Opposition Leader to uphold democratic integrity in Guyana.

  • Producer Sponge Music upbeat as Alkaline’s ‘No Emotions’ hits #2 on trending chart

    Producer Sponge Music upbeat as Alkaline’s ‘No Emotions’ hits #2 on trending chart

    Dancehall artist Alkaline has ignited the digital music scene with his latest release, ‘No Emotions,’ which has rapidly ascended to the number two position on YouTube’s Trending for Music chart. The track, produced by veteran music creator Charles ‘Sponge Music’ Williston, has amassed over 454,000 views since its premiere on January 9, marking a powerful entry into the new year.

    Williston expressed profound satisfaction with the public’s reception of the single, characterizing the collaboration with Alkaline as a consistently productive and enlightening experience. He specifically highlighted the professional dynamic with the artist’s sister and manager, Kareena Beckford, noting that their collective efforts foster a mutually beneficial creative environment where all parties continue to learn and evolve.

    The success of ‘No Emotions’ is the latest triumph in a prolific partnership that spans nearly 14 years. Williston, who launched his production career in St. James, first found major success with Alkaline on the hit ‘Real Dawgs.’ Their extensive catalog of collaborations includes other fan favorites such as ‘Heart Scar,’ ‘Earn Your Way,’ and ‘Nah Lef Eh Game.’

    Beyond his work with Alkaline, Sponge Music has established himself as a formidable force in the dancehall genre, producing chart-topping tracks for a roster of top-tier artists. His acclaimed production credits include Ikaya’s ‘Tek Him,’ Govana’s ‘Live and Learn,’ Nhance’s ‘Dawg Dem,’ Demarco’s ‘Killa,’ and Mavado’s ‘Not Perfect,’ as well as the collaborative hit ‘Pain’ by Mavado, Dexta Daps, and Jay-A.

    The single is confirmed to be a featured track on Alkaline’s highly anticipated third studio album, which is slated for release in the coming months. This early success positions the project as one of the most awaited reggae-dancehall releases of the year.

  • Sheldon Millington’s lifelong passion for giving back

    Sheldon Millington’s lifelong passion for giving back

    Sheldon Millington’s journey from the economically challenged streets of Kingston’s Whitfield Town to his current role as a philanthropic corporate executive demonstrates how early experiences can shape a lifetime of service. His childhood exposure to poverty instilled in him a profound commitment to helping others, a value he continues to exemplify through numerous charitable initiatives.

    Millington’s philanthropic philosophy took root during his school years when he received an unexpected scholarship recognizing not academic achievement but his consistent compassion in assisting ill classmates. This early validation of his caring nature solidified his dedication to service. Throughout high school, he established a committee to support students who couldn’t afford meals, demonstrating organizational skills that would later enhance his humanitarian efforts.

    The corporate executive has since channeled his resources into substantial community projects. Through the House of SDM Educational Grant, Millington has provided comprehensive educational support to over 300 young children by covering their entire booklist expenses. His community involvement extends to Labor Day projects, including the renovation of the Gilmore Early Childhood Basic School, technology donations for students, and creating employment opportunities across various organizations.

    Millington’s humanitarian response following Hurricane Melissa’s devastation in Westmoreland showcased his deep commitment to practical assistance. Personally leading relief efforts, he distributed 310 care packages, 100 children’s snack bags, and clothing for affected families. The emotional impact of witnessing the hurricane’s destruction motivated what he described as an unavoidable moral imperative to help fellow Jamaicans in crisis.

    His ongoing community engagement includes seasonal initiatives such as Christmas events for senior citizens in his childhood neighborhood and New Year’s celebrations for children in Rae Town. Millington attributes his sustained philanthropic drive to what he describes as an inherent nature ‘characterized by love, compassion and a willingness to extend assistance beyond immediate circles.’ His life’s work embodies a philosophy where community service transcends charity to become a fundamental aspect of corporate leadership and personal identity.

  • Face-to-face classes resume at Lacovia Primary after Hurricane Melissa disruption

    Face-to-face classes resume at Lacovia Primary after Hurricane Melissa disruption

    ST JAMES, Jamaica — Lacovia Primary and Infant School in St Elizabeth has achieved a significant milestone by fully restoring in-person education for all enrolled students, marking the end of months of disruptive rotational schedules implemented after Hurricane Melissa’s devastating impact. Principal Stacia Williams Brown confirmed the complete resumption of academic activities, expressing profound gratitude for overcoming substantial infrastructural challenges that had severely compromised daily operations.

    The educational institution, which initially adopted a phased reopening approach in November following the hurricane’s passage, has now successfully reintegrated its entire student body. Current enrollment stands at 293 pupils, with attendance figures demonstrating consistent improvement as normalcy returns. School authorities continue outreach efforts to locate remaining students who were displaced due to extensive facility damage, with some families having relocated to other parishes temporarily.

    Principal Williams Brown detailed the considerable damage sustained during the hurricane, which critically affected essential facilities including student bathrooms, the administrative block, and perimeter fencing. Reconstruction efforts led by the Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information through the National Education Trust (NET) have been progressing steadily since commencement in December. School administration anticipates full restoration of administrative operations within approximately three months, allowing staff to return to their original office spaces.

    The principal extended appreciation to the Education Ministry for their sustained support and to contractors executing rehabilitation work, noting that the entire school community remains encouraged by the ongoing assistance and visible progress in restoring the educational environment.

  • Jamaican diplomat and economist, Trevor Livingston Gordon-Somers, is dead

    Jamaican diplomat and economist, Trevor Livingston Gordon-Somers, is dead

    HANOVER, Jamaica — The global diplomatic community mourns the passing of Trevor Livingston Gordon-Somers, the distinguished Jamaican economist and United Nations peacebuilder who died peacefully in the United States on Thursday at age 87. Surrounded by family in his final moments, Gordon-Somers concluded a remarkable life dedicated to international service and humanitarian leadership.

    His son, Kimathi Gordon-Somers, a law professor based in the United States, confirmed the passing of his father, describing him as “a man of quiet strength, principled leadership and unwavering commitment to humanity” whose transformative work impacted nations, communities and generations across the globe.

    Gordon-Somers’ exceptional career with the United Nations spanned thirty-five years, beginning with his 1965 appointment to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in New York. His professional trajectory carried him across multiple continents where he held strategic diplomatic positions within the UNDP Regional Bureau for Africa, with significant postings in Egypt and Zambia before returning to UN headquarters.

    His steady diplomatic approach and thoughtful leadership earned him widespread respect throughout the international community. He subsequently directed UNDP operations in Guyana and Barbados, where he significantly expanded development initiatives and humanitarian programs throughout South America and the Caribbean region.

    Perhaps his most historically significant assignment commenced on November 20, 1992, when he was appointed Special Representative of the Secretary-General to Liberia following United Nations Security Council Resolution 788. During one of Liberia’s most devastating periods, Gordon-Somers spearheaded critical diplomatic efforts to mediate the civil conflict, guiding UN peacekeeping operations with extraordinary courage, compassion and strategic resolve until December 11, 1994.

    Following his retirement from the United Nations, Gordon-Somers returned to Jamaica with his wife Joy, who hails from Hanover. Despite stepping back from international duties, he remained actively engaged in public service, contributing his expertise to community development initiatives. He notably volunteered as chairman of Roots 96.1 FM, a Kingston-based community radio station operated by the Mustard Seed Communities.

    At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Gordon-Somers and his wife relocated from their Mona home in Kingston to Miami, Florida, to be closer to their children and grandchildren.

    He leaves behind a powerful legacy carried forward by his wife, two sons Scott and Kimathi, and five grandchildren who continue to embody his values, grace and profound sense of service to humanity.